"El Canal de la Mancha" is the English Channel, which the French call La Manche.
This is also the Frech word for Sleeve.
I always thought that the Channel was so called because it resembles a sleeve or una manga.

I think the Spanish should change the name to El Canal de la Manga, because this beautiful stretch of water isdefinitelynot "a blot on the landscape", or seascape for that matter!!!

"El Canal de la Mancha" is the English Channel, which the French call La Manche.
This is also the Frech word for Sleeve.
I always thought that the Channel was so called because it resembles a sleeve or una manga.

I think the Spanish should change the name to El Canal de la Manga, because this beautiful stretch of water isdefinitelynot "a blot on the landscape", or seascape for that matter!!!

But mancha like stain is not necessarily negative. Certain stains can create great effects and stained glass windows are beautiful.

The most probable reason for The Channel being called Canal de la Mancha is that Manche looks like Mancha.

And what about La Mancha in Spain? I don't think it's called that because it's considered a blot on the landscape. Perhaps it refers to the RAE's 3rd definition of the word, i.e. Pedazo de terreno que se distingue de los inmediatos por alguna cualidad.

__________________"Desiderata" - ...be gentle with yourself.You are a child of this universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. ...sé amable contigo mismo. Eres una criatura de este universo al igual que los árboles y las estrellas; tienes derecho a estar aquí.

But mancha like stain is not necessarily negative. Certain stains can create great effects and stained glass windows are beautiful.

The most probable reason for The Channel being called Canal de la Mancha is that Manche looks like Mancha.

And what about La Mancha in Spain? I don't think it's called that because it's considered a blot on the landscape. Perhaps it refers to the RAE's 3rd definition of the word, i.e. Pedazo de terreno que se distingue de los inmediatos por alguna cualidad.